Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History

News18

12-07-2025

Last Updated:
Regardless of what happens in the event, Italian cricket team's legacy is already set as first-time entrants to the global event.
Joe Burns' career seemed to be going nowhere when Queensland left him out of their contracted players' list in April 2024. This was a tough blow for the Australian, who was already grieving the tragic death of his brother in February that year.
In an emotional Instagram post, Burns confessed that it was a 'daily battle that I often lose."
However, sports often offer small escape routes to those truly dedicated, and for Burns, it came through his connection to Italy via his mother's heritage.
This was a blessing for both Burns and Italy, who qualified for their first ICC World Cup by securing a spot in next year's T20 event in India and Sri Lanka on Friday.
'I don't think words will ever describe emotions to this team and to this country. Sacrifice, dedication and commitment to a dream — we have walked this path into the unknown together to tour the first World Cup," Burns wrote on his Instagram wall shortly after the team's qualification.
Burns' emotions were genuine. This opportunity allowed him to continue his association with top-level cricket and provided Italy with a world-class professional who had significant experience in international and highly competitive Australian domestic cricket.
Burns Starts New Journey With Italy
Italy quickly appointed Burns as their captain in their effort to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 through the European sub-regional Qualifiers.
In the group stage, the team was grouped with France, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and Turkey. It was a big dream for a team that played its first T20 International in 2019 against Germany.
Despite a lack of pedigree and resources, they dared to dream.
They started strong with a 77-run win over Luxembourg in Rome and followed it with a five-wicket victory over France and a seven-wicket win against Isle of Man.
The nine-wicket win over Turkey propelled them to the final against Romania, which they won by a massive 160-run margin in June 2024.
Burns made a lasting impact in that victory with a 108 off 55 balls.
This powered Italy to the ICC European Qualifiers, where they were grouped with Netherlands, Scotland, Jersey, and Guernsey. They began with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Guernsey and outclassed Scotland by 12 runs.
An abandoned match against Jersey gave them a point, which, combined with a superior net run rate, allowed Italy to overcome the nine-wicket defeat against Netherlands in the last league match on Friday and qualify for the ICC event to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
It was a moment of catharsis for Italy and Burns. The Azzurri have delicate cricket connections, as AC Milan Cricket and Football clubs were founded by an Englishman – Herbert Kilpin – in 1899.
Former Italian and Inter Milan forward Cristian Vieri was a cricket enthusiast during his school days in Australia and often spoke passionately about the sport.
Italian Cricket's Identity
But now, Italian cricket has an identity of its own.
Burns' mention of walking together in his Instagram post was not a mere fancy tribute. This Italian team is indeed a mix of cultures.
Burns is an Australian, as are Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, and Grant Stewart.
Emilio Gay, who was part of the England Lions against India A, and Marcus Campopiano came from England.
There cannot be an Associate cricket team without a touch of the subcontinent, and thus Italy has Jaspreet Singh, who is from Punjab, and Crishan Priyantha Kalugamage, who has Sri Lankan roots.
Justin and Anthony Mosca add some Italian flavour.
'I hope this team can be a beacon for everyone to connect through family, through sport and through a shared story," an emotional Burns penned.
But Italy needs to overcome more accomplished rivals in the World Cup next year to add more chapters to an already incredible story.
'I think it's coming together, the confidence is high in the group and we've got some very experienced players in the team, experience from all over the world as well," the team's assistant coach Kevin O'Brien, a former Ireland player, told ICC.
Regardless of what happens in the event, this team's legacy is already set as first-time entrants to the global event.
They are no longer the unknowns. They are confident competitors in a field dominated by the big boys.
Burns can lead the side with pride, having set aside a crushing personal trauma to find a new purpose in life and career.
He knows it.
'Many of those who walk with us forever be proud. Without them, we never have dared to dream. This is our legacy," he wrote.
Forza Azzurri!
With PTI Inputs
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tags :
icc ICC T20 World Cup ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Italy cricket team joe burns
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Location :
New Delhi, India, India
First Published:
July 12, 2025, 14:07 IST
News cricket Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History
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